The problem, then, is not only that modern Mormons do not believe one can find lost or hidden items using a seer stone, but they recognize, as did people in Joseph Smithâ€™s day, that people who pretend to have that ability are being dishonest. At best, finding items this way is a sort of parlor trick, but at worst, itâ€™s a conscious fraud. That Joseph Smith may or may not have made very much money in his endeavors is beside the point. That he used a seer stone at all in exchange for money is troubling to a lot of people. Thus, itâ€™s not so much the connection to folk magic but the connection to possible fraud that is troubling to people, especially since most are hearing of this for the first time.

So why is the CoCJoL-dS releasing this instead of just staying the course with the traditional “just don’t talk about it” plan? Here‘s a theory:

The secretive strategy didn’t work, and people found out about the weirdness anyway. So now it seems that the church is trying to roll out all the weird stuff at once, and I think they’re hoping that if they can just get it all out there, and weather the resulting exodus of members for a couple of weeks, whoever else is still in the church will be in for good. No more unpleasant discoveries for anyone, or if there are, it won’t be the church’s fault; they’ve disclosed.

On a personal note, I have to give a big amen to one of Daniel Midgely’s reasons for still writing about Mormonism despite being disaffiliated from the CoJCoL-dS for such a long time:

Mormonism is interesting! And with the ongoing revelations of polygamy and magic rocks, it’s never been interestinger! So who wouldn’t want to keep talking and writing about this slow-motion trainwreck?

In other Mo-Lit news, Lawrence Pratt, author of DarkDeception, has had three short stories published recently: “Sixty and Sacked” is found in this anthology, “End of Days” can be read free here, and “Blind Faith” can be read free here. Also, Micah McAllister’s book ExitStrategywas on special offer — sorry I failed to announce this offer early enough for you to take advantage of it. 😉

In theology, Andrew Hackman had a discussion with a pastor over whether God’s love can truly be “unconditional” if He’ll send you to hell for not believing in Him, and Kevin Dudley brought up some problems with the belief that you chose your family in the pre-existence:

The life you chose was pre-determined. You knew you would be born to a woman who was raped. Therefore she had not choice but to be raped. The male who raped her had no choice. If they hadn’t been complicit in their destiny you wouldn’t be able to realize your own. They fail to see how it leads to “this life must be endured” mentality instead of “this life should be lived.”